Labor Day rail

Monday

Aug 31, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2009 at 8:20 AM

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. For many, the holiday is a time for family picnics, sporting events and a way to mark the end of summer.

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. For many, the holiday is a time for family picnics, sporting events and a way to mark the end of summer.

The history

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.

In 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date.

The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. The first state bill was introduced into the New York Legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on Feb. 21, 1887.

In 1894, Congress passed legislation making Labor Day a national holiday.

Fast facts

- Did you know five U.S. states do not have a minimum wage law? The five are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

- 154.5 million people 16 and older were in the nation’s labor force in May 2008, including 82.6 million men and 71.9 million women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

- Americans work in a variety of occupations. According to the 2009 Statistical Abstract of the United States, there are 7.1 million teachers; 778,000 hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists; 288,000 firefighters; and 104,000 tax preparers.

- 7.7 million Americans hold down more than one job, according to the 2009 Statistical Abstract of the United States. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.

- In 2008, union members accounted for 12.4 percent of employed wage and salary workers, up from 12.1 percent a year earlier, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 1983, the first year for which comparable union data are available, the union membership rate was 20.1 percent.

Grilling safety tips

Backyard barbecues are a common Labor Day activity. Here are some tips for safe grilling from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

If you have a gas grill:

- Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage. Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.

- Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.

- Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.

If you have a charcoal grill:

- Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.

- Since charcoal produces carbon dioxide fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Food safety tips from the USDA:

- Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature. Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts and chops can be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Hamburgers made of ground beef should reach 160 degrees. All cuts of pork should reach 160 degrees. All poultry should reach a minimum of 165 degrees.

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